Duncan Ferguson appointed Inverness manager as club reveal why Everton legend was 'stand-out candidate'

Duncan Ferguson has completed a sensational return to Scottish football after being appointed manager of cinch Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Duncan Ferguson is unveiled as the new manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Caledonian Stadium. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

The former Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle striker joins the Highlanders on a three-year contract for what will be his second crack at management following a difficult spell in charge of Forest Green Rovers last season.

He was unable to save the Green Devils from relegation to League Two, having taken over in January when they were already bottom of League One, winning only one of his 18 games in charge before being sacked in July.

Ferguson, 51, had previously spent eight years on the coaching staff at Everton – including two stints as caretaker manager – after a playing career that saw him score 73 goals in 273 appearances across two spells at Goodison Park.

Inverness are confident they have appointed the right man to lift them off the bottom of the Championship table after parting company with previous boss Billy Dodds, who collected just one point from the opening six league matches, last week.

Ferguson returns to Scottish game for the first time since 1994, when he was transferred from Rangers to Everton, having previously set a then British transfer record with a £4m move to Ibrox from Dundee United the previous year.

An Inverness statement read: “The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Ferguson as the new Manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club.

“The Everton legend joins us on a 3 year deal following an extensive recruitment process which involved some truly excellent candidates.

“Duncan has worked alongside some of the most respected and outstanding football coaches in the world in recent seasons and we are proud to have him join ICTFC as our new Manager. His professionalism, commitment and dynamic leadership skills shone through in our discussions, making him the stand out candidate.

“Everyone at the club is looking forward to supporting Duncan as the hard work starts now and we hope every Caley Jag will now get right behind him and the team in what we are sure will be a thrilling journey.”